U.S. patent number 5,706,985 [Application Number 08/470,235] was granted by the patent office on 1998-01-13 for dispensing closure for liquids.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Holmes Products Corp.. Invention is credited to David L. Feer.
United States Patent |
5,706,985 |
Feer |
January 13, 1998 |
Dispensing closure for liquids
Abstract
A combination cap and handle for use with a detachable
humidifier reservoir tank. Extending through the cap is a tubular
aperture containing a biased plunger that interacts with a base pin
in the water receiving portion of the humidifier. The plunger is
attached to a flap such that when the reservoir tank is placed into
the body of the humidifier, the plunger and flap are urged into the
reservoir tank, allowing the water in the reservoir to fill the
humidifier. Extending radially from the plunger aperture on the
external surface of the cap are raised handles. These handles allow
for a mechanical advantage when the user wishes to remove the cap
from the reservoir, or to transport the reservoir more easily both
when full and when empty.
Inventors: |
Feer; David L. (Andover,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Holmes Products Corp. (Milford,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
23866784 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/470,235 |
Filed: |
June 6, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/185.1;
222/469; 222/518 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67D
3/00 (20130101); B67D 3/0032 (20130101); F24F
6/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B67D
3/00 (20060101); F24F 6/00 (20060101); B67D
005/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/185.1,469,509,518 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Kaufman; Joseph
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hoffman & Baron, LLP
Claims
I claim:
1. An improved cap for use with a humidifier reservoir, said cap
including a top, an external face, and an interior face, a
humidifier that the reservoir engages including a body having a
base pin therein, the cap comprising:
attachment means for attaching said cap to a reservoir fill opening
forming a fluid-tight seal therebetween;
a tubular aperture extending between said top, external face and
said interior face of said cap;
a biased plunger located within said tubular aperture, said biased
plunger having a valve end and a base pin engagement end, said
biased plunger including biasing means urging said plunger in the
direction of said base pin engagement end thereby closing said
valve end; to prevent fluid communication through said tubular
aperture; and
a handle extending from said top, external face of said cap and
terminating at said tubular aperture, said handle providing means
for manipulating said cap allowing fingers of a user to pass
therethrough for ease of selective attachment to the reservoir,
whereby
when the reservoir is placed within the humidifier body, said base
pin engages said base pin engagement end such that said biased
plunger is urged to open said valve end to permit fluid
communication through said tubular aperture.
2. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
tubular aperture extends upwardly from said top, external face such
that an aperture protruding portion is defined, and said handle
comprises a plurality of extending members, said extending members
extending radially from said aperture protruding portion to form a
pair of substantially U-shaped handle means, said handle extending
members being generally parallel to said top, external face of said
cap.
3. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
cap includes an annular peripheral outer portion, and wherein said
handle extending members are further attached thereto.
4. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
valve end includes a valve being generally conically shaped, and
where the apex of said cone is proximate said biased plunger.
5. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 4, wherein said
tubular aperture extends upwardly from said top, external face such
than an aperture protruding portion is defined, and said handle
comprises a plurality of extending members, said extending members
extending radially from said aperture protruding portion, said
handle extending members being generally parallel to said top,
external face of said cap.
6. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
cap includes an annular peripheral outer portion, and wherein said
handle extending members are further attached thereto.
7. The improved dispensing cap as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
cap is threadably attachable to said humidifier reservoir.
8. In combination
a humidifier having a base and a pin extending upwardly from said
base;
a reservoir tank removably positionable on said base, the reservoir
tank having an opening for filling the tank; and
a cap selectively attachable to the reservoir tank for closing the
tank opening, the cap including a biased valve means for
selectively providing fluid communication from an external surface
to an interior space of the cap, such that the valve means is
biased to be closed, the valve means being opened when said valve
means engages said pin of the humidifier base, the cap further
including a handle, the handle having a first extent extending
upwardly from the external surface of the cap and a second handle
extent extending from said first handle extent substantially
parallel to said external surface, the handle providing means for
manipulating said cap to be selectively attachable to the reservoir
tank fill opening.
9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the valve means comprises a
tubular aperture having a valve positioned therein, the valve
including a valve end and a plunger end, the valve end being
responsive to movement of the plunger end.
10. The combination of claim 8, wherein the valve means comprises a
tubular extension having a plunger end extending above said
external surface of said cap and a valve end in the interior space
of said cap, the handle including at least two handle members
extending radially from the plunger end of the tubular extension
and terminating at a periphery of said cap.
11. The combination of claim 8, wherein the cap is threadably
attachable to said reservoir tank.
12. An improved cap for sealing a refill opening of a humidifier
tank, the cap comprising:
a substantially circular top surface and a downwardly depending
skirt portion;
a tubular aperture extending through said top surface of the cap,
the tubular aperture having a first end extending upwardly from the
top surface of the cap;
a valve positioned within the tubular aperture for selectively
providing fluid communication from an external surface of the cap
to an interior space of said cap; and
a handle having at least one handle member extending radially from
the first end of the tubular aperture to periphery of said cap, the
handle providing means for manipulating said cap to be selectively
attachable to a humidifier tank refill opening.
13. An improved cap as claimed in claim 12, wherein the handle
comprises two handle members extending radially in opposite
directions from the first end of the tubular aperture to a
periphery of said cap thereby forming two substantially open handle
portions allowing a user's fingers to pass therethrough.
14. The improved cap as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cap is
threadably attachable to a humidifier tank refill opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the dispensing of
materials. More specifically, it relates to the dispensing of a
liquid from a removable tank. Even more specifically, it relates to
a combination container cap and handle wherein the material
receiving portion of the apparatus activates a means to create
fluid communication between the removable tank and the receiving
portion when the tank is placed therein. Yet even more
specifically, it relates to a combination cap and handle wherein
the means for providing fluid communication includes a biased
plunger connected to a flap or valve and where the plunger engages
with a protrusion in the material receiving portion of the device.
More generally, the present invention could be used in a wide
variety of applications wherein a dispensed material is to be
freely allowed to flow into a receiving portion, such as a long
term animal food dispenser, for instance.
Thus it can be seen that the potential fields of use for this
invention are myriad and the particular preferred embodiment
described herein is in no way meant to limit the use of the
invention to the particular field chosen for exposition of the
details of the invention.
A comprehensive listing of all the possible fields to which this
invention may be applied is limited only by the imagination and is
therefore not provided herein. Some of the more obvious
applications are mentioned herein in the interest of providing a
full and complete disclosure of the unique properties of this
previously unknown general purpose article of manufacture. It is to
be understood from the outset that the scope of this invention is
not limited to these fields or to the specific examples of
potential uses presented hereinafter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a plurality of applications, it is desirable for a tank of
material, intended for dispensing into a system, to be occasionally
replenished. When this material is a liquid, either a pumping or
some other transport mechanism must be used, or else the tank must
be detached from the system, moved to a location where it can be
refilled, and then moved back to the system or apparatus. One
example of such a system or apparatus is a humidifier, such as the
type commonly employed in homes. In the vast majority of these
devices, the tank is an integral part of the entire apparatus and,
thus, has to filled by a pump/transport method. This is achieved in
most cases by filling pans or buckets at a faucet, carrying them to
the humidifier, and then emptying them thereinto. The time and
physical effort involved can serve as an inhibitor to the refilling
process. Some people lack the physical strength to carry multiple
buckets or pans of water across a room or rooms. Others may
begrudge the time it takes. In both scenarios, the upshot is that
the humidifying apparatus goes unfilled, thus potentially leading
to sinus or respiratory problems, let alone the waste of the
apparatus purchase price. The present invention is a cap designed
for use with a humidifier system that has a removable tank. The
improved combination cap and handle of the present invention has
means to interengage with the receiving portion or reservoir of the
humidifier such that when the tank is in place, free liquid
communication exists between the tank and the reservoir. An
activation means in the reservoir engages a biased flap or valve
member in the interior of the handle that moves to allow the
communication. The cap itself is preferably threaded for attachment
to the tank, and includes a raised portion that serves as a handle.
A number of U.S. Patents relate to this field and they are
discussed hereinafter:
First is U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,703 issued on Mar. 29, 1994 to
Chein-Hwa Tsao et al. This discloses a non-spill loading device
having a base plate, clamping levers, and a linear valve to open
and close a bottle containing a fluid. This is clearly dissimilar
from the present invention in that there is no teaching of the
biased flap or valve, nor of the outwardly disposed raised handle
portion.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,634 issued on Sep. 8, 1992 to Ullrich
Hintzen there is disclosed a closing or regulating apparatus for a
vessel, specifically, a metallurgical vessel. This device has a
movable pipe member that can be set to provide a discharge passage
by aligning two discharge openings. Unlike the present invention,
there is no showing of a biased flap or valve.
Next is U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,532 issued on Jul. 21, 1992 to Ray C.
Ives. This is a contact lens case wherein a perpendicular bar on
the interior tray serves both to divide the right and left lens
from one another and also to provide a handle for the lifting of
the tray from the liquid solution in the case. Unlike the present
invention, there is no teaching of any biased flap or valve in the
disclosure.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,982 issued on Feb. 22, 1994 to John Tsai,
there is disclosed a structure for the external cap of a spout. The
apparatus includes a hand grip that can be lifted upwardly from the
external surface of the cap body to allow the user to rotate the
same. Unlike the present invention, there is no teaching of a
biased flap or valve in the cap itself.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,981 issued on Jul. 5, 1994 to Jaime L. Klomhaus
et al. discloses a plastic reservoir cap. This includes a cap
portion with a unitary stem, and where the stem includes fluid
measuring indicia. A gasket and locking camming surfaces are also
discussed, however this apparatus is clearly dissimilar from the
instant invention as there is no teaching of a biased plunger
attached to a flap or valve.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,304 issued on Apr. 19, 1983 to George C.
Anderson, there is disclosed a container with an integral handle
and a closure. This is clearly dissimilar from the present
invention in that, as in the patents discussed above, there is no
teaching of the biased plunger activating a flap.
Next is U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,113 issued on Sep. 14, 1993 to Charles
A. Stymiest. This discloses a container lid assembly wherein a pair
of openings each has a hinged closure that incorporates a friction
fit and a snap fit seal. This, also, is clearly dissimilar from the
present invention in that no biased engaging plunger is taught.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,495 issued on Dec. 7, 1993 to Carmine
Magliocchetti et al. there is disclosed an implement for removing a
cap from a container. Though this does discuss a biased plunger,
the plunger is located in the handle portion of the device and does
not control a valve or flap for providing liquid communication
between containers or reservoirs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,010 issued on Mar. 15, 1994 to Mark Tschida
discloses a pressurizing apparatus and closure. This device has a
threaded closure cap, an internal piston mounted therein, and a one
way valve to allow ambient air to be pumped into a beverage
container as the carbonated contents are consumed. This is unlike
the present invention in that no teaching of a raised handle
portion is made.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,075 issued on Sep. 7, 1993 to Siegfreid Ott et
al. discloses a self closing cap for an oil pan filler neck. In
this device, a pair of overlying plates, each with an aperture
therein, can be moved into alignment to provide fluid communication
with the interior of the oil pan. Unlike the present invention, the
apparatus does not disclose a biased linear plunger activated by
engagement with an outside pin.
The patents hereinafter listed were also uncovered in the search.
Though they do describe covers, they are not deemed relevant enough
to the instant invention to warrant a detailed discussion.
______________________________________ Patent No. Inventor Date of
Issue ______________________________________ 4,509,654 Daniel J.
Maguire April 9, 1985 5,158,194 Mark A. Sirgo et al. October 27,
1992 5,234,122 Bing J. Cherng August 10, 1993 5,280,809 Bruce E.
Tive January 25, 1994 ______________________________________
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as
claimed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the invention comprises a combination cap and handle for
use with a detachable humidifier reservoir tank. Extending through
the cap is a tubular aperture containing a biased plunger that
interacts with a base pin in the water receiving portion of the
humidifier. The plunger is attached to a flap such that when the
reservoir tank is placed into the body of the humidifier, the
plunger and flap are urged into the reservoir tank, allowing the
water in the reservoir to fill the humidifier. Extending radially
from the plunger aperture on the external surface of the cap are
raised handles. These handles allow for a mechanical advantage when
the user wishes to remove the cap from the reservoir.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a
new and improved dispensing closure for liquids which overcomes the
disadvantages of the prior art in a simple but effective
manner.
It is a major object of this invention to provide an improved
dispensing closure for liquids wherein the user's placing of the
reservoir into position opens fluid communication between it and
the humidifier.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved
dispensing closure for liquids wherein a base pin within the
humidifier engages a biased plunger within the cap to move a flap
or valve, thus opening communication between the reservoir and the
humidifier body.
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved
dispensing closure for liquids that includes an external handle
protruding from its surface to provide a mechanical advantage to
the user when the cap needs to be manipulated or removed.
Finally, it is a general goal of the invention to provide improved
elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes
described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in
accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
The present invention meets or exceeds all the above objects and
goals. Upon further study of the specification and appended claims,
further objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the
present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same
becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate
the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and
wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of the reservoir in place in the
humidifier and showing the fluid communication created through the
interaction of the base pin and the cap and handle of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is perspective view of the cap and handle combination.
FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the interior of the cap and handle
showing details of the biased plunger and cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The present invention is indicated at 10 in FIG. 2. The cap and
handle combination 10 has an outer annular periphery 12 that is
textured or pebbled to provide a secure gripping surface. There is
a flat external surface or top 14. Protruding from this top 14 is
the handle means 16, discussed further below. Proximate the center
of the top 14 protrudes a tubular aperture 20, best seen in FIG. 2.
The tubular aperture has an interior 22. Contained within the
interior 22 of the tubular aperture 20 is the biased plunger 30. At
one end of the biased plunger 30 is the base pin engagement end 32,
seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the discussion will now focus on the way
in which the instant invention operates within the contemplated
environment. The combination cap and handle 10, as can be seen from
the figure, is located on the bottom of the reservoir R. When the
reservoir R is placed into the body of the humidifier H (only
partially depicted in the figure) the base pin 40 comes into
contact with the base pin engagement end 32 of the biased plunger
30. Turning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that as this occurs, the
biased plunger 30 is urged in the manner indicated by directional
arrows A1. Distal from the base pin engagement end 32 of the biased
plunger 30 is the flap engagement end 34. This in turn is connected
to a conically shaped elastomeric flap 36. It should be understood
that this flap 36 is seen only in cross section in FIGS. 1 and 3.
It should also be emphasized that the specific shape of the flap is
not limited to that shown here, but could be any workable shape
that would dose the reservoir end 24 of the tubular aperture 20.
For example, the flap could be generally planar and it could be
made of a less flexible material than is described herein. The
biased plunger 30, it should be noted, when reservoir R is not in
humidifier H, is held by spring 38 in the position shown in
unbroken lines in FIG. 3, thus maintaining a seal over the
reservoir end 24 of the tubular aperture 20 and preventing any
fluid loss therethrough. Thus when the reservoir R is placed in the
humidifier H and fluid communication has been established, the
water in the reservoir will fill the humidifier H until a
sufficient amount has been evacuated to equalize the pressure
inside and outside of the reservoir R. When the water reaches a
line (indicated at L in FIG. 1) where air can enter the reservoir
R, more water will be dispensed. This same property is used in
animal watering troughs and is well known.
Turning to FIG. 2, the handle means 16 will now be discussed in
detail. Handle means 16, in the preferred embodiment described
herein, consists of a pair of oppositely extending members 50, 52.
The members 50, 52 extend from, and are integral with, the tubular
aperture 20. The members 50, 52 are disposed above the top surface
14 of the cap 10. In the preferred embodiment described herein, the
distance above the top surface 14 is approximately 30 mm. The
members 50, 52, at their ends distal from the tubular aperture 20,
terminate in downwardly depending connecting members 54, 56, that
are attached to the top surface 14 of the cap 10 proximate the
annular periphery 12. The handle means 16 as thus described allow
the user to gain a mechanical advantage when manipulating the cap
10 by allowing the fingers to pass thereunderneath, and by
orienting the handle above the vessel's center of gravity when
resting on a horizontal surface.
In the actual embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, line L is located
above the level of the bottom of members 50, 52, line L rising to
the top of the vertical slots partially defining the boundaries of
aperture 20.
The cap 10 is preferably removably attached to the reservoir R by
threaded attachment means (not shown), though it should be
understood that the cap could be integral to the reservoir R, or
attached in other ways familiar to the skilled artisan.
It is to be understood that the provided illustrative examples are
by no means exhaustive of the many possible uses for my
invention.
From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily
ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make
various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to
various usages and conditions. For example, the artisan could
easily use the same device to control an animal feeding trough, as
mentioned above.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims:
* * * * *